The Phelps County Focus newspaper recently published a nice profile of the owners of the Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla, Missouri. The Totem Pole proclaims itself the longest-running Route 66 business in Missouri. It dates to 1933, when the business was further east, closer to the ghost town of Arlington, Missouri, although one of … Continue reading A closer look at Totem Pole Trading Post in Rolla
Category: Gas stations
Hit-and-run damages gas pump at Soulsby Station
An apparent hit-and-run accident damaged one of the Shell gas pumps at the historic Soulsby Station in Mount Olive, Illinois, last week. The accident occurred Saturday morning amid a group of four touring motorcyclists visiting the station. Mike Dragovich, who's owned the station since 1997, said surveillance video revealed one of the motorcyclists accidentally "dumped" … Continue reading Hit-and-run damages gas pump at Soulsby Station
Painted Desert Trading Post group selling T-shirts to help pay for Phase III work
The Route 66 Co-op is selling a new batch of limited-edition T-shirts to help pay for costs related to Phase III of the Painted Desert Trading Post stabilization project. The front of the T-shirt features a design by a longtime roadie and graphic artist, Shellee Graham. The back contains the "Cold Drinks" lettering that still … Continue reading Painted Desert Trading Post group selling T-shirts to help pay for Phase III work
St. Clair native writes book about experiences at Route 66 gas station
DeWayne Landwehr, 74, a native of St. Clair, Missouri, recently published a book about his experiences as a teen employee at a 1950s service station along Route 66. Landwehr, who now lives in Indiana, wrote: “Will That Be Regular or Ethyl?” According to a story in the Washington Missourian, he said his father owned St. … Continue reading St. Clair native writes book about experiences at Route 66 gas station
Shutdown of Meltdown Diner in Tulsa proves short-lived
Less than a month after the Meltdown Diner in southwest Tulsa closed, it reopened again with a slightly modified name. Owner Jim Hardcastle, citing his desire to spend more time with his father and grandsons, announced he would close Meltdown Diner on May 25. The restaurant, which specialized mainly in grilled-cheese sandwiches, had been operating … Continue reading Shutdown of Meltdown Diner in Tulsa proves short-lived
New owner of Afton Station wants ideas for Route 66 business there
The new owner of Afton Station in Afton, Oklahoma, wants to put a Route 66-related business there but is unsure what type. So he's appealing to the Route 66 community for ideas. Louis Cox, a retired 22-year Army veteran from nearby Ketchum, Oklahoma, purchased the former gas station for $72,000 during an auction Saturday where … Continue reading New owner of Afton Station wants ideas for Route 66 business there
Teenager buys historic gas station, will move it next to historic gas station in Miami
A teenage entrepreneur recently acquired a historic gas station in Miami, Oklahoma, he eventually will move to a better-known historic Route 66 gas station in Miami. Eli Chenoweth, 19, who owns and operates The Frozen Elephant snow-cone shop on Route 66 in Miami, several months ago bought the Miami Marathon Oil Service Station on Route … Continue reading Teenager buys historic gas station, will move it next to historic gas station in Miami
Grandchildren of Dixie Truckers Home founders pay a visit
Two grandchildren of the couple that founded the Dixie Truckers Home in McLean, Illinois, recently paid a visit to the site for the first time in years. Steve Jordan and Cathy Greeneberg, descendants of the Route 66 truck stop's original owners John and Viola Geske, sat down with a crew from WMBD-TV at what now … Continue reading Grandchildren of Dixie Truckers Home founders pay a visit
Afton Station will be auctioned June 29
Afton Station, a closed landmark along Route 66 in Afton, Oklahoma, and its remaining contents will be auctioned June 29 after its co-owners died within a period of less than two years. The Oklahoma Route 66 Association on Thursday announced the auction on Facebook. The auction will begin that day at 10 a.m. at the station … Continue reading Afton Station will be auctioned June 29
Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66
Business, county and city officials are seeking a better plan to market Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, after acknowledging other cities on the route "increased their game.” A lengthy story in the Springfield State Journal-Register states the city is trying to reposition itself to Route 66 travelers at the highway's centennial looms in 2026. According … Continue reading Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66